Key Points
- Ikkiis earned ₹7.28 crore on day 1, ₹4.02 crore on day 2, and ₹3.44 crore on day 3 (by 8 PM)
- Total domestic collection reached ₹14.74 crore in just three days
- Film’s budget estimated at ₹60 crore, quarter recovered in opening weekend
- Surpassed lifetime collection of Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se (₹9.60 crore) in 72 hours
- Agastya Nanda makes Bollywood debut playing Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal
- Film released on January 1, 2026, competing with big-budget Dhurandhar
- Directed by Sriram Raghavan, produced by Maddock Films
- Dharmendra plays father of Param Vir Chakra recipient, Jaideep Ahlawat in crucial role
Veteran actor Dharmendra’s much-awaited film Ikkiis was released in theaters on January 1, 2026. The film is receiving a decent but steady response from the audience. Notably, despite the presence of the big-budget film Dhurandhar in theaters, Ikkiis has managed to earn crores of rupees every day. The war drama has shown remarkable resilience at the box office, holding its own against a film with nearly double the budget and wider star appeal.
In just three days, the film has recovered nearly a quarter of its budget, placing it in a strong position at the box office. Moreover, Ikkiis has surpassed the lifetime collection of Dharmendra’s 2018 film Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, marking a significant comeback for the 88-year-old actor. The performance is particularly impressive given the crowded release window and the current trend of audiences preferring big-scale spectacles over content-driven films.
Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown
According to box office figures, Ikkiis had a spectacular opening on its first day, earning ₹7.28 crore at the Indian box office. The film’s collection saw a dip on the second day, but it still managed to rake in ₹4.02 crore, showing a healthy hold with just 45% drop, which is considered excellent for a non-holiday weekday. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, the film had earned ₹3.44 crore by 8 PM on the third day, indicating a weekend trend that could push the Sunday total to ₹4.5-5 crore.
With this, the film’s total domestic collection has now reached ₹14.74 crore. According to a report by Koimoi, the total budget of Ikkiis is estimated to be around ₹60 crore. Thus, by earning ₹14.74 crore in three days, the film has recovered approximately a quarter of its budget. This performance is particularly significant because Dharmendra’s previous film, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, only managed to earn ₹9.60 crore at the box office throughout its entire theatrical run.
Star Cast and Performances
With Ikkiis, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda has made his Bollywood debut. In the film, he plays the role of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who displayed extraordinary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Dharmendra plays the role of his father in the film, bringing emotional depth and gravitas to the father-son relationship. In the film, Akshay Kumar’s niece, Simar Bhatia, is seen opposite Agastya Nanda, while Jaideep Ahlawat also plays a crucial role as a senior officer.
This war-based film, produced under the Maddock Films banner, is directed by Sriram Raghavan, known for his nuanced storytelling in films like Andhadhun and Badlapur. The director’s signature style of blending suspense with emotional storytelling has been evident in the positive word-of-mouth that has helped sustain the film’s collections. Critics have particularly praised the authentic portrayal of military life and the realistic battle sequences that avoid jingoism.
Critical Reception and Audience Word-of-Mouth
The film has received a positive response from critics, with most rating it 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5. Reviewers have highlighted Dharmendra’s powerful performance as the grieving father, calling it one of his finest in recent years. Agastya Nanda’s debut has been described as “promising” and “sincere,” with many noting his resemblance to his grandfather Amitabh Bachchan in certain scenes.
Audience word-of-mouth has been strong, particularly among families and older viewers who appreciate the film’s patriotic theme and emotional core. The film’s music, composed by Amit Trivedi, has also been well-received, with the patriotic song “Vande Mataram” version trending on social media. The positive reception among the 35+ age demographic has helped the film maintain steady collections despite competition from the action-packed Dhurandhar.
Competition with Dhurandhar and Market Positioning
The decision to release Ikkiis alongside Dhurandhar, a ₹120 crore action spectacle starring two A-listers, was initially seen as risky. However, the contrasting genres have worked in Ikkiis’ favor, as it has carved out its own niche audience. While Dhurandhar is dominating the single-screen markets and mass centers, Ikkiis is performing exceptionally well in multiplexes and tier-1 cities.
The film’s performance in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore has been particularly strong, contributing nearly 40% of its total collections. This urban-centric success suggests that the film has found its target audience among educated, middle-class viewers who value content over star power. The Republic Day weekend ahead is expected to give the film a significant boost, with trade analysts predicting a 30-40% jump in collections.
Future Projections and Milestones
Currently, Ikkiis has shown a promising performance at the box office in its initial days, and further growth in its collections is expected in the coming days. Trade analysts predict that if the film maintains its current trajectory, it could cross the ₹50 crore mark by the end of its second weekend. The upcoming Republic Day holiday on January 26 is expected to provide a major boost, with advance bookings already showing strong trends.
The film’s success is particularly significant for Maddock Films, which has been building a reputation for content-driven cinema. A strong performance by Ikkiis could encourage more producers to back war films and biopics of unsung heroes, a genre that has been underexplored in Bollywood. For Dharmendra, this could mark a late-career renaissance, proving that veteran actors can still draw audiences when given substantial roles.
International Performance and Streaming Rights
While the domestic performance has been the focus, Ikkiis has also opened in select international markets, including the US, UK, and UAE. The film earned approximately $450,000 (₹3.75 crore) from overseas markets in its opening weekend, bringing its worldwide total to around ₹18.49 crore. The diaspora audience has shown strong interest, particularly in the US and Canada, where war films and patriotic content resonate well.
The film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by Netflix for a reported ₹25 crore, with the platform planning to release it eight weeks after the theatrical premiere. This deal ensures that the film will be profitable even if theatrical collections remain modest, making it a safe bet for the producers.
